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By: Abiodun Adewale
Nigerian forward Gift Orban has secured a €13m move from Gent to French side Olympique Lyon after just a year in Belgium.
Orban joined Gent from Norwegian club Stabaek last January after impressing in Norway, helping Stabaek gain promotion to the topflight division with 22 goals in 27 matches.
He signed a four-and-half year deal with the Belgian side and after just a year into the deal, Lyon secured an agreement with Gent to sign Orban this transfer window.
Orban on Wednesday flew from Belgium to France to finalise the details of the deal that is expected to keep him with Lyon until the end of the 2027/2028 season.
According to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, Lyon have completed the deal for the Nigerian youngster, with the Ligue 1 side set to part with €13m to make it happen.
In Belgium, Orban was an instant hit for Gent with 20 goals and two assists in 20 games in just six months.
His eye-catching performances earned him call ups to the Nigeria national team but he was unable to feature due to unresolved issues around his nationality. He is said to be affiliated to Togo, where he developed and was scouted after he left Nigeria.
Aside from his impressive performance last term, his move to Lyon might not be unconnected to his current situation with Gent’s manager, Hein Vanhaezebrouck, who has addressed dressing room and off-field issues with the player since the start of the season.
This season, the player has managed 12 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions.